Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

❛❛Goodbye, X❜❜

That was the last thing Planet X heard before making a decision he should've made billions of years ago: leaving the Solar System. X had caused a lot of damage, and he couldn't look at Proteus, his first friend, ever again, not after hurting so many moons. He knew there wasn't going to be a place for him, not after Jupiter's return, and going back to his orbit beyond the Kuiper Belt wasn't an option anymore. He wanted to find another solar system, another star he could orbit, where he could finally feel at home, like he belonged. But that wasn't the only reason behind his decision: he also yearned to be a role model for the smaller planets, to be admired and respected, just like his former enemy.

He wasn't alone this time: he had Guillermo by his side, or at least that's what he thought Neptune had named his asteroid friend. X agreed that he should've asked Jupiter for indications, because he was unsure which direction to take, but it was too late. He already left the biggest planet behind, and he was so far away from the solar system that the Sun wasn't even visible.

He sighed and looked at Guillermo with a hint of hope in his eyes. He was aware the asteroid wasn't going to answer him, but he wanted to try either way. If Jupiter had found comfort in him, he could too.

Planet X: We will find a place, right, Guillermo?

Several decades passed, and Planet X managed to exit the solar system and enter interstellar space. He couldn't complain about his new view. The galaxy was as amazing as cold and lonely.

At some point in his journey, he started talking to Guillermo. He wasn’t going crazy; he simply imagined the conversations in his mind, since it made him feel less lonely. One day, the asteroid brought up a topic that he hadn’t thought about for ages.

Guillermo: When we arrive... you won't introduce yourself as X, right?

Planet X: Hey! What's wrong with X?

Guillermo: Now that you've left the solar system, it doesn't make sense to keep calling yourself Planet X. It's about time you get a name worthy of a planet.

Planet X: Maybe you're right. Any suggestions?

Guillermo: I was thinking… Erebus?

Planet X: After the personification of darkness? Really?

Guillermo: But it's a cool name!

Planet X: It is, but... I'm no longer the planet I used to be. That name would just remind me of the things I did.

Guillermo: Okay, okay! How about... Boreas?

Planet X: The Greek god of winter? I don't know… I don't see it. Besides, I was hoping to be named after a Roman god.

Guillermo: So, it has to be a Roman god that represents the new you?

Planet X: Basically. Oh, and if it has an ''x'' in the name, even better.

Guillermo: Mmm... I have one: Pax, the Roman goddess of peace, also associated with spring and rebirth, and daughter of Jupiter.

Planet X: Ha! Of course the only god name that suits me is that of Jupiter's daughter.

Guillermo: A bit ironic, if you ask me.

Planet X: You know what's more ironic, Guillermo?

Guillermo: What?

Planet X: That that's the name I'm going to choose.

Now with a new name, Pax kept wandering through the galaxy. He had already traveled more than half-way through, but the universe still had some obstacles in store for him: a rogue planet’s strong gravity had attracted Pax and Guillermo towards him. It was a ringless gas giant, larger than Jupiter, and it was giving creepy vibes. Pax was terrified. He couldn’t escape him.

Rogue planet: Well, well, well. Look what we have here.

Pax: Please, don’t hurt me!

Rogue planet: Who said I was going to hurt you?

Pax: So, you're going to turn me into your moon?

Rogue planet: Please, do I look like I need a moon?

Pax: Uh… No?

Suddenly, and luckily for Pax, someone intervened. It was a rogue brown dwarf, bigger than the planet who was holding him hostage, and her expression was serious. The scarce, but pleasant, heat she emitted made Pax assume she was some sort of leader.

Brown dwarf: Thigoth, what have we told you about scaring planets?

Rogue planet: But… my gravity captured him!

Brown dwarf: No buts! Let him go. Now.

The rogue planet let him go reluctantly, and Pax got as far away from him as possible. He didn’t want to be captured again. The brown dwarf turned to him.

Brown dwarf: Please, accept our apologies. You must be new.

Pax was confused and scared.

Pax: New?

Brown dwarf: Yes, I haven’t seen you before. What part of the galaxy do you come from?

Pax: I… I don’t know. I think… the Orion Arm?

Brown dwarf: You don’t come from very far. Tell me, were you also ejected out of your planetary system?

Pax: No, I… I chose to leave.

The rogue planet gasped, and the brown dwarf was taken by surprise.

Rogue planet: You left your system? Nobody in their right mind would do that!

Pax: It’s complicated, okay?

Brown dwarf: Let me guess. You’re looking for another star to orbit?

Pax: Maybe...

Rogue planet: If that’s the case, don’t get your hopes up. Most planetary systems are fully formed and have a balance. No star would ever accept a rogue planet into its system. That’s why the league exists in the first place.

Pax panicked. He hadn’t considered the possibility of being rejected by the system he was looking for. However, the mention of the word ‘league’ intrigued him.

Pax: The league? What league?

Brown dwarf: We’re a rogue planet league. We wander through the galaxy recruiting celestial bodies that have lost their home. Most of us were either ejected during the formation of our systems or never had one. We're one of the many factions spread over the Milky Way.

Pax’s eyes lit up. The idea of belonging to a league was very tempting, but he didn’t feel like that was his purpose. He still wanted a place to call home.

Rogue planet: Yeah, and unlike stars, we accept everyone. Would you maybe like to join us?

Pax: I appreciate the offer, but… I’m going to have to decline it.

Rogue planet: Oh, that’s a pity. You would’ve been a great addition.

Pax: Thanks. I admit the league sounds cool, but I want to belong to a system, you know? On that note, you wouldn't happen to know where the closest star is?

Brown dwarf: That would be the Alpha Centauri system. Keep going straight. You’re just a few years away from it.

Pax: Thank you so much!

Brown dwarf: Of course. I hope you find what you’re looking for.

Rogue planet: Good luck, little fella! If you change your mind, you know where to find us!

Pax said goodbye and resumed his journey. As he got closer, he felt more and more anxious. He tried not to get his hopes up since he had an alternative, but he couldn’t help it. He just wanted to belong. Was that too much to ask?

After a few more years, he knew he had finally arrived when he spotted a red dot in the distance, surrounded by an asteroid belt, and two other yellow dots just a little further. Pax had it in front of him: the home he had been longing for. He was so nervous that he had to take a quick look at Guillermo to gather the courage he needed. Then, he started to approach.

The star, however, was quick to detect his presence and started sending asteroids towards Pax, but he successfully dodged them. Pax thought he was having a déjà vu. He crossed the belt and, just as he was starting to feel the nice heat, the asteroid rain suddenly ceased, so he stayed still, even though he found that quite strange.

And then… there was an intense flash and everything went black.

Chapter Text

A couple of voices woke him up shortly after. He felt disoriented and dizzy, and his core hurt like hell. One of them noticed that Pax had regained consciousness.

Rigil Kentaurus: You’re awake! Hey, Toliman! He’s awake! Go tell Proxima!

Toliman: Why don’t you go tell Proxima?

Rigil Kentaurus: I don't feel like being bossed around today.

Toliman: And you think I do?

Pax: What…? Where… am I?

Rigil Kentaurus: Oh, hey, little guy. How are you feeling?

Pax: Everything… hurts.

Toliman: I’m not surprised. Proxima almost flared you to death.

Pax: Flared me? And… who’s Proxima?

Rigil Kentaurus: Oh, that's the star who hit you.

Pax’s eyes widened. Did that star actually attack him? His mind was spinning. Pax couldn’t remember any of that. He didn’t even know how long he had been unconscious.

Pax: Wait. How long have I…?

Rigil Kentaurus: You were unconscious for almost a week.

Pax: A… week? And you… took me in?

Toliman: Proxima thought our combined heat would help you wake up, and I guess it did.

Pax: Oh… Thanks…

Pax tried to get up, but he groaned. He had never felt so much pain before.

Rigil Kentaurus: Hey, where do you think you’re going, little guy? You have to rest.

Pax: But… I wanted to talk to that star…

Toliman: You need to get some rest. We’ll take you to her when you feel better.

Pax: You would do that?

Rigil Kentaurus: Yeah. No problemo, little guy.

Toliman: Hey, I just realized we don’t know your name?

Pax: Oh. My name’s Pax. Nice to meet you, uh…?

Rigil Kentaurus: Nice to meet you too, Pax. I’m Rigil Kentaurus and this one here is Toliman. We’re part of a triple star system as you can see. Anyways, can we ask you something?

Pax: Uh, I guess?

Rigil Kentaurus: Why were you approaching our system? And don’t worry. Unlike Proxima, we’re just curious.

Pax: Well, I… I was looking for a new home, and… your system was the closest to mine.

Rigil and Toliman looked at each other. They were not expecting to hear that.

Toliman: And what happened to your system?

Pax: Nothing. I… left it.

Rigil Kentaurus: What? Why?

Pax took a moment to gather his thoughts. He wasn’t sure if he should mention the battle that led to him leaving because he wanted to make a good impression, so he chose to be a little vague.

Pax: It’s a long story… I just felt like I didn’t belong, so I left.

The stars felt bad for Pax. In fact, they had been considering accepting him into their system, even though they knew they had to discuss it with Proxima first.

Rigil Kentaurus: Oh, we’re sorry. Listen, Toliman and I have been talking and… well, we were wondering if you’d be interested in orbiting us?

Pax: Wait, are you for real?

Toliman: Yep. We don’t have planets, so… it’d be a win-win. I mean, if you want, obviously.

Pax couldn’t believe it. Not one, but two stars were willing to take him in! He thought he was dreaming.

Pax: I… I would love to! Thank you! You don’t know how much this means to me.

Rigil Kentaurus: Wait, you want to? That’s… that’s great!

Pax then went to stay with Rigil and Toliman for another week until he fully recovered and was ready to go talk to Proxima. However, the stars couldn't agree on who should accompany Pax to Proxima’s orbit, so they settled it with a staring contest that Toliman ended up losing. After Rigil made fun of his binary partner, they finally departed.

On the other hand, the red dwarf rolled her eyes when she noticed Toliman approaching due to her feeling his gravity. She didn't seem specially happy with the visit.

Proxima Centauri: Oh, it’s you. What do you want now, Toliman? I'm busy.

Toliman: Doing what? And hello to you too, eh?

Proxima Centauri: I was meditating, not that it's any of your business. So, to what do I owe this... unexpected visit?

Toliman: As fiery as always, Proxima. Anyways, I was just bringing you the planet you almost destroyed.

Proxima Centauri: Hey, I didn’t destroy him! It was just a little flare, okay?

Toliman: Well, your not-so-little flare left him unconscious for like a week.

Proxima turned to Pax, who was as blushing as he was nervous.

Proxima Centauri: Oh my! You don’t know how sorry I am. Are you hurt, dear?

Pax: I feel better since Rigil and Toliman took care of me.

Proxima Centauri: Oh, I'm so glad to hear that! Wait, they did?

Toliman: Yep, we did. In fact, we have adopted him. He’s our planet now.

Proxima Centauri: Wait, what? And didn’t you two think to discuss it with me first?

Toliman: What’s up, Prox? Are you jealous?

Proxima Centauri: I told you not to call me that, Toliman! And why would I be jealous? I have planets too.

Pax: Wait, you have planets?

Proxima Centauri: Oh, yes, I do. Two rocky planets and one gas giant, to be exact. Do you want to meet them?

Pax smiled and nodded; he was excited. He was about to leave when he realized he should probably ask Toliman for permission. Pax looked at the yellow star.

Pax: Can I?

Toliman: Mmm… I don’t see why not. Return to our orbits when you’re done, okay?

Pax: Understood. Oh, and it was a pleasure to meet you, Proxima. My name’s Pax.

Proxima Centauri: Likewise, Pax. Go have fun! Toliman and I have things to discuss.

Pax headed towards Proxima’s inner system, while Toliman stayed there talking with the red star. He quickly reached the closest planet. It was a small, rocky world that reminded him of Mercury.

Pax: Uh, hello. I’m Pax.

PCD: Oh, hi there! I’m D. You must be the planet who was flared by Proxima, right?

Pax: The one and only. I kind of orbit Rigil and Toliman now.

PCD: Wait, for real? And you want... to orbit them?

Pax: Why wouldn’t I want to?

PCD: I mean, haven’t you noticed their strange relationship with Proxima?

Pax: I have. But, what does that have to do with me orbiting them?

PCD: Nothing, just that you’re orbiting a couple of idiots. Why do you think Proxima is so far away from them?

Pax: Mmm... I don't know. I admit they're a bit peculiar, but they've been very kind to me.

PCD: Just give them time, Pax, and you'll see what I mean.

They talked for a while. D even took Pax to meet the rest of the planets, and he immediately got along with the gas giant, since he was an ice giant just like him. Pax was actually the biggest planet of them all, just like he wanted, but… Pax wouldn’t be able to protect the smaller planets like he hoped if he kept orbiting those two stars.

After hours and hours of talking that flew by, he finally returned to Rigil and Toliman’s orbits. They greeted him with a warm smile, but Pax was feeling down.

Toliman: Hey, our favorite planet is back!

Pax: Aren’t I your only planet?

Rigil Kentaurus: Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be our favorite! So, how did it go with Proxima’s planets? Did you make any friends?

Pax: Uh, yeah. They were all so nice. I had a great time.

Toliman noticed that something was up with him.

Toliman: Then, what’s up? Aren’t you happy with your new orbit?

Pax: Of course I am, I’m so grateful. It’s just… 

Rigil Kentaurus: You want to orbit her, don’t you?

Pax froze. He didn’t want to seem ungrateful, because he found a place where he finally belonged, but going back to being the outcast planet wasn’t what he had in mind. On the other hand, one of the stars took that personally.

Toliman: Okay, fine! Leave! Go orbit Proxima! It’s not like we care or anything!

Toliman began to walk away. The fact that his first planet ever wanted to replace him with Proxima hit him hard.

Rigil Kentaurus: Toliman, where are you going?!

Toliman: I want to be alone, Rigil!

Rigil sighed and turned to Pax.

Rigil Kentaurus: Sorry about that. Toliman can be a bit sensitive when it comes to his lifelong dream of having a planet.

Pax: No, I’m the one who’s sorry. The real reason why I left my system was because I wanted to become a better planet. I did things I’m not proud of, and now that I finally have a home, where I belong, I want to do things right. You know? There was a planet in my old system. Jupiter was his name. He was like a bodyguard, protecting everyone with his immense gravity, and…

Rigil Kentaurus: You want to be like him, you want to protect the smaller planets, don’t you? And you can’t do that if you orbit us.

Pax nodded. He felt terrible and selfish after they took care of him and even accepted him into their system, yet deep down he knew that wasn't his place.

Rigil Kentaurus: It's okay, go with Proxima. She’ll take you in.

Pax: Are you sure? Will you… be okay?

Rigil Kentaurus: Yeah. Don’t worry about us. We’re used to not having planets.

Pax: Please, tell Toliman that I’m sorry.

Rigil Kentaurus: I'll talk to him. He’ll come to his senses eventually. Now, go with your new friends. You must be eager to see them.

Pax: Thank you, and... see you later, Rigil.

Proxima ended up accepting Pax into her system, as she still felt bad for what she did. It took Toliman an entire year to finally forgive Pax, but they eventually became great friends. As for Pax, he became the Jupiter of the Alpha Centauri system, just as he wanted. Everybody was fascinated about the stories Pax started to tell, such as the Moon Revolution and the Solar System trials, to name a few, thus earning a place in that small system that was now his home.